Bacteria Associated with Students’ Mobile Phones-Caritas University, Enugu State

Abstract

Microorganisms are ubiquitous, they are found everywhere. Mobile phones are not an exception. Mobile phones, also referred to as palmtops act as fomites, a source of infection because the palms used to handle mobile phones are often times in contact with surfaces which may have been pre-infected; nevertheless, their potential role in transmission of infections is of great concern. A cross-sectional study (male and female) was done from June to August 2018 at Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu State, in order to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contamination of mobile phones of students. Swab samples were collected from 50 mobile phones of Caritas University students. These were tested for bacterial contamination in the Microbiology laboratory. Quantification of bacteria was performed using standard streak plate technique. Isolated bacteria were identified using standard microbiological methods which include: cultural and morphological characterization and biochemical test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was also done. The microorganism isolated from students’ mobile phones and their percentage frequency of occurrence were: E. coli (31.9%), S. aureus (40.4%), P. aeruginosa (8.5%), K. pneumonia (4.3%) and Streptococcus sp. (14.9%). The result showed that Staphylococcus sp. has the highest percentage of occurrence. The antibiotic sensitivity test indicated the varied resistance of isolated bacteria to antibiotics used in this study, although most isolated bacteria were sensitive to erythromycin and chloramphenicol except the isolates of E. coli which were the most resistant to the antibiotics used. The high prevalence of bacterial agents isolated from students’ mobile phones was attributed to poor hygiene and sanitary practices. It is recommended that students should wash their hands after using mobile phones, before eating or undertaking any venture requiring sepsis.

Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Greek Undergraduate Students on Mobile Phones and Corresponding Devices’ Microbial Assessment

“…Similar results were observed among those who preferred the use of liquid soap, instead of soap bar, and those who did not know which of these was more effective (refer to Table 9). Since Escherichia coli is part of the normal intestinal flora, its presence on hands and consequently on mobile phones indicates fecal contamination due to poor personal and hand hygiene [54], especially after visiting the restroom. Accordingly, although Staphylococcus saprophyticus is part of the normal human flora of the perineum, rectum, urethra, cervix, and gastrointestinal tract, it is associated with lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young and middle-aged women [19].…”

Bacterial Contamination on Electronic Surfaces in ICU

“…Due to the frequent need for patients to be in (ICU) and the high risk of morbidity and death, these bacteria have a substantial clinical value in hospitals. The majority of clinical isolates come from two big families, Enterobacteriaceae and the non-fermenters; however, there are additional gram-negative organisms that are clinically relevant, such as Neisseria, Haemophilus species, Helicobacter pylori, and Chlamydia trachomatis [12]. This exercise examines the interprofessional team's involvement in treating patients with gram-negative bacteria and the assessment of gram-negative bacteria [5,20].…”

“…Outbreaks [8,2] and pathogen crosstransmission amongst critically sick patients [10,11] have been linked to contamination of inanimate surfaces in the (ICU). Microorganisms can spread through healthcare staff' hands or be shed by patients themselves in the close vicinity of a patient's bed [12]. Surfaces, widely used medical equipment, and high-contact community surfaces (e.g., telephones, keyboards, medical charts) in the (ICU) was found to harbor multidrug-resistant bacteria [13][14][15].…”